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The moment will finally arrive tomorrow night as Summit Gardens finally opens the doors to the public for the first time after the completion of the 4-year renovation project. The wedding and event venue will begin with an acoustic performance by hometown music artist Brent Hollensed which will begin at 7 pm and will be free to the public. Patrons that want to get a seat might want to venture in early as the building holds 120 seats.

Giving opening remarks will be the City of Howe Director of Economic Development Monte Walker and Chairman of the Howe Development Foundation Jean Norman.

Residents of Howe and even people not associated with the city complained for years about the look of the now-126-year-old structure that was originally built and housed the First Christian Church for 99 years.

The structure was granted to the city over 30 years ago and leased to the Howe Historical Society for several years after serving as the Community Center from 1982-1992. The historical group’s efforts raised some money for the renovation of the building, but the team headed by Carrie Waller and Jean Norman ran out of steam. However, they kept the money that they had raised which helped the beginning of the newest renovation project.

The City of Howe had received renovation quotes in 2009 and 2010 which each was over $450,000 and one was $693,000.  During that time, the city also received quotes for the demolition of the structure which was as low as $12,000.

In June of 2015, Walker, who was also serving as president of Keep Howe Beautiful at the time met with members of the Great Days of Service including Clyde Hepner and Bruce Evans.  Plans were laid out to complete the restoration in phases.  The volunteer group completed the first phase that month by boarding up broken windows and clearing brush around the premises.

“I would like this to be a community-vested project,” said Walker in a 2015 Howe Enterprise article.   “It’s already being jump-started by one of the best community-based groups – Great Days of Service. I’m envisioning a rally of “Save the Church.”  I know how hard Jean (Norman) worked to be able to one day see the end results and have that old church beautiful again.  To me, that day will be my favorite. To see that smile on her face when it’s completed. That’s the day I’m ready for. There will be tears that day.”

In July that year, the money that the Howe Historical Society raised many years ago went to fix the foundation of the structure for $15,000.  Then the city used the Collins Memorial Foundation money left from the Collins family for the upkeep of the building to cover the exterior with new premium siding for $25,000.

In late July, former City Administrator Joe Fenton came to Walker with an idea of how a fundraiser that takes place in Muenster could work for Howe.  Their fundraiser raises massive amounts of dollars on an annual basis with a dinner and live and silent auction.  The promotion heavily involves a partnership from their local newspaper.  That meeting with Fenton evolved into a full-blown “Save the Church” fundraiser set for Nov. 7, 2015. 

On Aug. 6, 2015 the “Save the Church” committee was formed where Jean Norman was elected president of the organization.  Those heavily involved in the beginning also were Hepner, Georgia Caraway, Alton Norman, Dusty Williams, Linda Wall, Mary Jo Wren, Beverly Martin Mary Stonebarger, Sheri Folkes, Donna Pelkey, Curt and LeAndra Beckemeyer, and Boyd Dunn.  The committee determined that the end result of the building would be used to serve as a wedding and event venue.

Once the exterior became visible to citizens that a true effort to renovate the building was being made, it stirred interest from other willing donors to help out financially to turn the eyesore to the most beautiful structure in the city.

On Nov. 7, 2015, a live auction and silent auction took place at the Howe Fire Department and Howe Development Alliance office. Keep Howe Beautiful hosted an all-you-can-eat BBQ dinner for $10.  All proceeds went towards the Save the Church project. Close to 200 auction items were available for people to bid on. 

Rob Hunt and a group called “Not in Grayson County” had money leftover from a previous rally and donated $10,505 to the cause.  After the donation, the dinner and auction, the Save the Church group collected over $25,000. 

Boyd Dunn and Mike Barlow began construction in November 2015 with the removal of the baptistry that was penetrating the floor due to the settling of the building.  Dunn and Barlow spent the next four years of their lives donating their labor for the renovation of the building. 

The Howe Development Foundation (HDF) began in the summer of 2016 to work as a supplement to the economic development for Howe.  One of the initiatives of the 501c6 was to oversee and operate the organization that began as “Save the Church” and evolved into “Summit Gardens” which the wedding and event venue was named.  Walker serves as president of HDF while Jean Norman serves as chairman.

With funds from the initial fundraiser running low by the end of 2016, the group held another BBQ Dinner and Auction that raised over $9,000.  In both auctions, funds from the dinner went to Keep Howe Beautiful for the garden area outdoors while the remainder went for materials for construction.

Health issues with Dunn forced a delay in the renovation.  Rick Owens Construction picked up the slack and helped install drywall and electric for $10,000.  Baker A/C & Heating installed new units and converted the building from gas to electric for $8,000.  Darrah Dunn, a master carpenter finished the vestibule area for $5,000.  All of the broken wooden bell tower louvers were replaced by metal ones with a screen to keep birds out. Three louvers cost $2,800 and were installed by Roger Brown of Metal Masters. Brown also painted the exterior fish scales and trim to match the white siding.

Dunn and Mike Barlow completed a porch to wrap around the north side of the building to the tune of $3,000. Georgia Caraway and Oscar Blankenmeyer donated over $1,000 to replace the broken windows, and the City of Howe had the roof replaced in 2017 and updated the sidewalk entrance in 2018. 

Upon finishing touches, Janie and Harold Finney donated kitchen appliances and a large screen TV to the facility.

Even as Denton money filtered to the project through sales at the Howe Mercantile, the group again began to run low on funding as materials costs began to accumulate. An anonymous citizen then stepped up and offered a $15,000 no-interest loan to finish out the construction. The HDF could not have finished out the work on a timely basis if that person did not come forward and offer help.

The organization has grown to include hard-working members Dick and Daisy Smithwick, Becky Hogenson, Donna Wormsbaker, Janie Finney, Mary Stonebarger, and many others.  Jerry Welch created the frame for the sign that now sits in front of the building and Finney painted the entire porch in the heat of the summer. She also cleaned the inside of the building on numerous occasions.

“All of our working volunteers brought their own skill sets that made this dream a reality,” said Walker.  “From Jean Norman’s leadership, to Boyd (Dunn) and Mike’s (Barlow) craftmanship, to Georgia’s (Caraway) fundraising expertise, to Becky’s (Hogenson) vision for the garden, it’s been a working ensemble of amazing people will a variety of talents.”

Kyle Wesley Troxtell, 48, of Pottsboro, passed away on October 30, 2019 at home.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, November 6 from 3 pm – 5 pm at Dannel Funeral Home in Sherman, TX.   The family asks you to come celebrate Kyle, the impact and joy he brought to others, and his life by sharing stories.  If unable to attend or share, Drew McByde is collecting narratives.  Please email your contribution to the celebration to drewmcbryde@gmail.com.    In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Kyle’s memory to your Veteran’s Support Organization of choice.

Kyle was born in Sherman, TX to Cles (C.A) Troxtell and Laurel Shirnel Troxtell on February 9, 1971.   He graduated from Howe High School in 1989 and finished his Engineering Technician Certification from Grayson College in 1995.  Kyle married the love of his life,  Cindy Jennings Hestand on March 6, 2001, in Sherman, TX.  They have two wonderful children Samantha Hestand (29) and Hunter Troxtell (18).   He worked as an Engineering Technician for Texas Instruments for 26 years. 

Kyle was an avid Veteran supporter and dedicated the rebuilding of a 2003 Ford F350 in their honor.  Freedom represented the wounded Veterans when they returned from service and is a symbol of the struggles they may have healing and adjusting to civilian life.  She had to be stitched up, repaired, has scars, but in the end, Freedom stands as strong as the Veterans she honors.    

Kyle is preceded in death by his grandparents Mac (Bill) McBryde, Nelma McBryde,  Clessie Troxtell Sr, and Anne Luerene Troxtell.

Kyle is survived by his wife Cindy Troxtell, children Samantha Hestand and Hunter Troxtell. Parents Cles (C.A.) Troxtell and Laurel Shirnel Troxtell, sister Tonya Troxtell and her children Autumn Wasden and AJ Johnson, sister Casey Weinmann, her husband Josh Weinmann, and their children Griffyn Weinmann, Gradin Weinman, and Sicileigh Weinmann. 

Kyle’s family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who reached out and offered prayers, assistance, and sympathies.

Proposition Number 1
(HJR 72)

HJR 72 proposes a constitutional amendment permitting an elected municipal judge to serve as a municipal judge in more than one municipality at the same time. Unlike an appointed municipal judge, an elected municipal judge may not concurrently hold another municipal judge office. This amendment would allow an elected municipal judge to serve as a municipal judge in more than one municipality at the same time, in the same manner as appointed municipal judges.

The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment permitting a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at the same time.”

Proposition Number 2
(SJR 79)

SJR 79 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the Texas Water Development Board to issue additional general obligation bonds, in an amount that does not exceed $200 million, for the economically distressed areas program. These bonds can only be used to provide financing for the development of water supply and sewer service projects in those economically distressed areas as defined by law.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $200 million to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas.”

Proposition Number 3
(HJR 34)

HJR 34 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to temporarily exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of certain property located in an area covered by a disaster declaration of the governor. The proposed amendment would allow the legislature to prescribe the method of determining the amount of the tax exemption and the duration of the exemption and also would allow the legislature to create any additional eligibility requirements for the tax exemption.

The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster.”

Proposition Number 4
(HJR 38)

HJR 38 proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting the state from imposing or collecting an individual income tax, including an individual’s share of partnership and unincorporated association income. There is no current constitutional bar on imposing or collecting an individual income tax.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual income tax, including a tax on an individual’s share of partnership and unincorporated association income.”

Proposition Number 5
(SJR 24)

SJR 24 proposes a constitutional amendment that would automatically appropriate the net revenue received from the portion of the state’s tax revenue received on sales of sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The legislature would maintain the authority to determine the specific uses of the funds and their allocation between TPWD and THC.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment dedicating the revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas’ natural areas, water quality, and history by acquiring, managing, and improving state and local parks and historic sites while not increasing the rate of the state sales and use taxes.”

Proposition Number 6
(HJR 12)

HJR 12 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the maximum bond amount for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) from $3 billion to $6 billion to be issued by the Texas Public Finance Authority. CPRIT was created in 2007 to promote and fund cancer research in Texas. CPRIT uses bond proceeds to award grants for cancer research and prevention.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase by $3 billion the maximum bond amount authorized for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.”

Proposition Number 7
(HJR 151)

HJR 151 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing increased distributions from $300 million per year to $600 million per year to the available school fund and also allowing the State Board of Education, the General Land Office, and other entities that manage revenue from land or other properties held in the permanent school fund to distribute certain revenue to the available school fund.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment allowing increased distributions to the available school fund.”

Proposition Number 8
(HJR 4)

HJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment creating the flood infrastructure fund as a special fund in the state treasury, using money appropriated from the economic stabilization fund. The flood infrastructure fund would provide additional resources to implement plans to mitigate flood damage. The proposed amendment would authorize the Texas Water Development Board to use money in the flood infrastructure fund for drainage, flood mitigation, or flood control projects. The proposed amendment also would authorize the creation of separate accounts in the flood infrastructure fund as necessary to administer the fund or authorized projects.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the flood infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects.”

Proposition Number 9
(HJR 95)

HJR 95 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to create a property tax exemption for precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state.”

Proposition Number 10
(SJR 32)

SJR 32 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to allow a state agency or political subdivision to transfer a law enforcement animal to the animal’s handler or another qualified caretaker in certain circumstances. Currently, the Texas Constitution prevents the transfer of certain public property, such as law enforcement animals, to a private person or organization at no cost. This amendment authorizes the legislature to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to the animal’s handler or another qualified caretaker at no cost, upon the animal’s retirement or at another time if the transfer is determined to be in the animal’s best interest.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances.”

Gerald Ned Hickox, a lifelong resident of Grayson County, died on Monday, October 28, 2019 at his residence after a heroic battle with cancer.

Services will be on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the First Baptist Church of Howe at 11:00 AM with Terry Ingram and Rev. Roger Tidwell officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarlawn Memorial Park in Sherman. The family will greet friends on Friday, November 1, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Howe.

Gerald was born on March 16, 1939, the only son of Trula (Perkins) Long and Ted Hickox in Sherman. He attended Sherman schools, graduating from Sherman High School in 1957. Shortly after graduation, he chose to serve in the United States Army. After two years in the military, he returned to Sherman and started work for Grumman Olsen with 27 years of service. He then began working for Magni-Fab Southwest in 1991 and retired in 2008.

Gerald married his first great love, Francine Long of Howe on June 27, 1964. She was a wonderful wife, companion, and mother for 37 years and passed away in 2011. They had two children, Rob and Lisa. Gerald was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Howe, serving as a deacon and supporting his wife as the church organist and Sunday school teacher. They were also active members of the XYZ Senior Club and the church. Together, they dedicated their lives to God and family. Gerald was a sports enthusiast and supported the athletic events for the Howe Public Schools. He had a true passion for golf and played at Woodlawn Country Club for many years. He loved traveling with family and friends.

Gerald is survived by his son, Robert Lynn Hickox and wife Michelle, daughter Lisa Gay Hickox Nix and grandchildren: Michael Ray Huff, Ashley Dawn Nix, Randle Auten Nix, Cameron Cailee Hickox, and Abby Allynn Hickox. He is also survived by a dear friend Lucy Walker and sisters-in-law Phyllis and Dorothy Long. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, his wife in 2011, and brothers-in-law Hubert Long and Sonny Long.

Pallbearers for Gerald will be Dalton Harris, Quinton Harris, Rick Ake, Mark Armstrong, Jack Norman, and Alton Norman. Honorary pallbearers will be Scotty Harris and grandsons, Michael Huff and Randle Nix.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Roque and nurses at Texas Cancer Center as well as the team at Hospice Plus for the love and care they provided Gerald. In addition to flowers, memorials may be made in Gerald’s name to First Baptist Church of Howe, 100 S. Davis St., Howe, Texas 75459.

You may sign the online guestbook at www.Dannelfuneralhome.com.

HOWE – Angela Farrer Garner, 41, a beloved mother, sister, daughter, aunt and she was teacher to many. Angela died on October 24, 2019 after a 7-year battle with a brain tumor. As a young child, she committed her life to Christ and through all her trials, her love for the Lord only grew and became stronger.


Angela was born on July 3, 1978 in Sherman to Jesse P. and Paula Farrer. She is survived by her parents, children, Caden and Kennedy of Howe. Brother, Jesse L. Farrer and wife Brandi of Tom Bean; sister, Clarissia Doty and husband Michael of Howe. Nieces, Jessica Doty, Abby Farrer, Mikayla Doty, Chloe Farrer, and Jentrie Doty.


She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Opal and Julian RL Hill and Jesse and Thelma Farrer.


Angela will be remembered most by all the lives she touched while teaching 1st grade at Howe Elementary and 2nd grade at Van Alstyne Elementary. She had a bright smile that could light up a room and a laugh that was contagious.


Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne. Funeral services will be on Monday, October 28, 2019 at 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church in Howe, TX followed by Interment at Cedarlawn Memorial in Sherman, TX.


In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Angela Farrer Garner Memorial Education Scholarship fund set up at Independent Bank in Howe, TX.

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